Taiwo Popoola
The Chairman and Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), has raised concerns over the alarming rate of drug abuse in Kano State, revealing that over one million residents are affected.
Speaking at the launch of a sensitization campaign against drug abuse, domestic violence, and illicit drug trade, organized by the National Orientation Agency (NOA) in Kaduna, Marwa emphasized the urgency of tackling the crisis.
He cited findings from the 2018 National Drug Use Survey conducted by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), which indicated that 14.3 million Nigerians aged 15–64 use psychoactive substances. The North-West geopolitical zone—comprising Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, Jigawa, Zamfara, Kebbi, and Sokoto—has been particularly affected, with Kano recording the highest prevalence rate of 16.0%. This translates to approximately 1,070,000 drug users in the state.
“The figures are deeply troubling and underscore the urgent need for collective action,” Marwa stated, adding that drug abuse poses severe social and economic risks, particularly among young people and women. Nationally, one in four drug users is female, and one in five suffers from drug use disorder.
To combat the crisis, the NDLEA has intensified operations, leading to 57,792 arrests and the seizure of 9.9 million kilograms of illicit substances in the past four years. The agency has also expanded rehabilitation centres and community-based outreach programs to provide support for affected individuals.
The Director-General of NOA, Malam Lanre Issa-Onilu, described the campaign as a call to action, urging traditional and religious leaders to play a critical role in raising awareness and advocating for rehabilitation. The initiative will leverage town hall meetings, community engagement, advocacy visits, and media campaigns to address drug abuse.
Meanwhile, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, highlighted the correlation between drug abuse and domestic violence, citing data that indicates up to 40% of women in Kano have experienced domestic abuse. He assured that the government is committed to working closely with NDLEA, NOA, and other stakeholders to disrupt drug trafficking networks and support victims of substance abuse.
With Kano leading in drug abuse prevalence, authorities stress the importance of collaborative efforts to curb the menace and safeguard public health and security.
